It Happened in Crawford County: Retired Doc Wenner enjoys cycling

Dec. 14, 2013

Written by

Mary Fox

Guest columnist

Editor’s note: This is Part 2. Some information for this column is from the Crawford County Genealogy Society book, “Liberty Remembers.”

When called to active duty in the Korean War, he was feeling sorry for himself, and leaving his wife, Peg, with two children and debts on a house and office. Later on board ship, he met an officer taken prisoner in the Philippines by the Japanese and placed in a POW camp; although 40 years old, the officer looked 60. Donald lost his self pity quickly.

He was discharged in 1954 and returned to his practice of family medicine and anesthesiology with 14,000 people and a 35 bed hospital in Bucyrus. There were two surgeons, and 11 physicians in independent family practice. It was custom for newer physicians to acquire patients who had not established a family physician.

“I was called one night to a rural house and told a woman just had a baby and hadn’t been seen by a doctor.”

He was startled to learn she was in a wooden outhouse, and they couldn’t open the door. The baby on the floor was blocking the door. He was able to get in, and he attended to the baby in the house before they were sent to the hospital.

“Several years later I was returning to Bucyrus from Columbus the car a short distance ahead of me was struck head on. Glass from the shattered windshield went in the air and landed on the hood of my car. I asked if anyone was hurt, but didn’t recognize them, it was dark. The lady said ‘Oh Pete, Doctor Wenner is here already.’ They were both patients of mine.

“After retirement, I missed seeing patients, but was glad to be relieved of the responsibility of their care. Quite contented to now be a nursing home visitor to friends and former patients and occasionally bring meals to them when daughter Becky and I deliver Meals on Wheels.

“Medical progress in the treatment of patients’ illnesses and injuries has been tremendous. I could not have imagined when I first became a physician that someday patients could be able to receive a heart transplant. I have loved the practice of medicine and hope the physicians of today and in the future will continue fighting for the best treatment they can obtain for their patients and not let government regulation or rationing interfere.”

Following retirement in 1990, Don had more time for his many hobbies, including cycling, woodworking, golf and fishing. In 1969, he and various members of his family made the annual TOSRV (Tour of The Scioto River Valley) bike ride from Columbus to Portsmouth with the return the next day, a total 210 miles. In 1976, Don and wife, Peg, rode across the western half of the U.S. from Astoria Oregon to Colorado.

This was part of an organized tour called Bike Centennial to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

“We were with a group of 9 other riders. We rode 30 to 50 miles a day and stayed in YMCA’s, church basements and schoolhouses.”

In 1986, Don wanted to complete the ride across the U. S. since he had only done the western half.

He loaded his bike on a plane to Denver, Colo., and completed the trip from Colorado to Yorktown, Va., being accompanied at various times by his two sons, Craig and Steven, and nephew, Jacques Ramey. He stayed in motels when available, but he tented several times in the 6 weeks. (Although not a part of the tour, he also has two daughters, Becky and Susan.)

Readers will remember Don’s wife, Peg. She was the first women to be elected to Bucyrus City Council in 1979, serving two terms. She received a Red Cross certification in life saving, and, for many years, she taught swimming at the YMCA and the city pool at Aumiller Park.

One can easily find Dr. Wenner; he rides his bike almost every day, except in the snow. Most important, is his volunteerism, especially for the Kiwanis, a member of 23 years since retiring in 1990. If they have a cause, Don Wenner will promote it to help raise money for the community needs. He also volunteered for Habitat for Humanity and other area projects. He has a great love of genealogy and the history of his family. Dr. Wenner volunteers for the Ohio Genealogy Society and is the secretary of The Crawford County Genealogy Society.